The Soft Clam 289 



production was occurring. Not only is this true, but it 

 has been shown by experiment that clams may be trans- 

 planted from waters of one of these extremes to the other 

 apparently without being in the least affected by the 

 change. In this respect, as in others, the artificial culture 

 of clams will prove to be much simpler than the culture 

 of oysters. 



Enemies of the adult clam are few. It is more dif- 

 ficult to gather a bushel of seed clams than of seed 

 oysters, but when the former have attained a lodgment 

 in the bottom they are safe from all foes, while the latter 

 are never entirely safe. On a few occasions, snail-like 

 mollusks have been observed to dig two or three inches 

 beneath the surface of a clam flat, and to devour im- 

 bedded clams, but not one shell in thousands dug 

 from clam beds will show the hole drilled by these ani- 

 mals. There is no reason to believe that any other ani- 

 mal ever attacks them in their burrows. The very 

 young, however, before they are able to cover themselves, 

 are preyed on by several forms. 



It will therefore be necessary for the clam culturist to 

 give close attention to the character of the bottom and 

 to tide currents, when selecting grounds for his opera- 

 tions. In many cases the existence of proper conditions 

 will be proved by the presence of natural beds; but on 

 many tracts now barren all natural requirements are met, 

 and all that is needed is the planting of seed clams. To 

 be able to recognize such areas will, obviously, be of 

 great advantage. Unfavorable conditions on other bot- 

 toms also may be overcome. Even shifting sand might 

 perhaps be reclaimed by a covering of firmer soil. The 

 oyster culturist has several such achievements to his 

 credit. 



